If you’ll be starting a food garden for the first time there are many resources available to guide you. First, I suggest you start small and plant vegetables you know your household will eat. I’ve written extensively on my blog about starting a vegetable garden. Click my Grow A Garden link or use the search feature in the upper right corner of any page.

Here are some garden plans to get you started if you’re not sure what to plant or how to lay out your new veggie bed. Better Homes and Gardens offers free PDF downloads of thirteen different vegetable garden plans of various sizes and themes.

If you live in a mild winter area, you may need to adjust some plans. For example, most cabbage family crops do best when planted in the fall instead of the spring.

Spring Harvest Vegetable Garden | Summer Bounty Vegetable Garden | Fall Harvest Vegetable Garden | Space-Saving Vegetable Garden | Italian-Inspired Vegetable Garden | Asian-Inspired Vegetable Garden | Colorful Vegetable Garden | Children’s Vegetable Garden | All-American Vegetable Garden | Patio Vegetable Garden | Beautiful Kitchen Garden | An Elegant Salad Garden | Heritage Vegetable Garden

When you’re ready to step it up, Niki Jabbour’s book is a treasure trove of vegetable garden plans. I’m inspired by the 73 contributors with serious garden chops who offer garden plans with engaging illustrations and useful details. Some of my favorites are Partially Shaded Vegetables, Garden Squares for Kids, Small Space Beds, Starter Kitchen Garden, Beautiful Balcony Edibles and more. Groundbreaking Food Gardens at Amazon or your favorite bookstore.

The adventuresome gardener may want to try GrowVeg.com, an online garden planner.

Now get growing!